Student-Friendly Scoring Guide for Beginning Writers Ideas How you explore the main point or story of your writing I know A LOT about my topic. My writing is bursting with fascinating details. I ve picked a topic that s focused enough to handle. I know enough about my topic to get started. Some of my details are too general. My topic might be a little too big. I haven t figured out what to say. My details aren t clear. I m still thinking about and looking for a topic. page 1 of 7
Organization How you connect the ideas from beginning to end I have a bold beginning, mighty middle, and excellent ending. All of my details are in the right places. The order of my ideas really works. My beginning, middle, and ending are off to a good start. Most of my details fit. The order of my ideas makes sense. My writing doesn t have a clear beginning, middle, or ending. My details are jumbled and confusing. I have stuff on paper, but it s not in order. page 2 of 7
Voice How you express ideas with energy and pizzazz My writing sounds like me. The reader will know I care about my topic. I have the right amount of energy in this piece. My writing is safe. The reader only gets a glimpse of me. I care a little about this topic. My energy is uneven in this piece. I forgot to say what I think and feel about my topic. I really don t care at all about the topic. I m bored, and it shows. page 3 of 7
Word Choice How you use words and phrases to create meaning I ve picked exactly the right words. My words are colorful, fresh, and snappy. The words help my reader see my ideas. Some of my words work well, but others don t. I ve used too many ordinary words. My words paint a general picture of the idea. I m not sure how to use words well. I ve left out key words. Many of my words are the same or don t make sense. page 4 of 7
Sentence Fluency How you construct sentences so they sound smooth My sentences are well-built and easy to read aloud. The way my sentences begin makes my writing interesting. I ve varied my sentence lengths. I ve got sentences! Some of them are hard to read aloud, though. A couple of my sentences begin in different ways. I might join short sentences or cut long ones in two. I am having trouble making a sentence. My beginnings all sound the same. I haven t varied my sentence lengths at all. page 5 of 7
Conventions How you edit text to make it readable My spelling is magnificent. All my capitals are in the right place. I used punctuation correctly. I ve used correct grammar and added paragraphs where needed. I ve done a great job proofreading. Only simple words are spelled correctly. I ve used capitals in easy spots. I ve used correct punctuation in some places but not in others. I proofread quickly and missed things. My spelling makes it hard to read my words. I haven t followed capitalization rules. I haven t used punctuation well at all. I forgot to proofread. page 6 of 7
Presentation How you create visual appeal My paper is neat no smudges or cross-outs. My letters are neatly formed. My margins frame my writing. My paper can be read, but it s not easy. Some of my letters are neatly formed, but some are not. My margins work in some places, but not in others. My paper is very hard to read. My letters are not neatly formed at all. I forgot to use margins. Reprinted with permission of Scholastic, Inc. page 7 of 7